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Consultancy Title:   Terms of Reference for Consultancy conducting a study on the prevalence and drivers of gender-based violence in Kasese district Uganda

Organisation: African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV)

Duty Station: Kasese, Uganda

 

About US:

The African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV) is a Non-Governmental Organization whose mandate is to advocate against torture, GBV and other forms of violence from state and non-state actors and provide holistic care to survivors.  ACTV with support from the Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY) is set to implement a 3-year project titled;” Strengthening access to quality rehabilitation for survivors of torture and violence, and effective prevention of torture and other forms of violence in Uganda” starting from 1^st March 2023 to 28^th February 2026 For this project, ACTV is seeking the services of a highly professional and experienced consultant to undertake a study on Gender Based Violence (GBV) in relation to Torture Cruel and Inhuman Degrading Treatment to inform the integration of GBV services in the community model and raising awareness for the prevention of GBV.  A similar study has been carried out in Nakuru, Kenya. The consultant is expected to use the design and methodology from this study and adapt it to the local context of Kasese.

 

Background

GBV is a global challenge that is triggered and exacerbated in humanitarian crises. But rape, sexual slavery, trafficking, forced and early marriage, and intimate partner violence happen everywhere, causing tremendous suffering and threatening peace and development. This demands a strengthened global response^[1]. Uganda has a population of approximately 48.9 million people and is currently classed as a low-income nation according to the World Bank, with an average annual growth rate of 3.03%. It is estimated that 51% of women in Uganda will experience violence in their lifetime, suggesting that violence against women is rampant in the country^[2]. This statistic is well above the average in Africa and worldwide, making Uganda one of the most dangerous places in the world for women. 56% of women in Uganda aged 15-49 reported having experienced physical violence while 22% had experienced sexual violence at least once since the age of 15 years^[3]. Specifically, about 70% of the crimes reported in Rwenzori region are sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Recent statistics rank Kasese district third countrywide in cases of GBV after Wakiso and Kampala districts compared to the national prevalence of about 25%. There was a peak in GBV cases in 2020 during the lockdown and cases of SGBV involving defilement, spouse battering, teenage pregnancies, early or forced marriages, gender based discrimination, rape and property stripping were reported. Records show that a total of 354,736 teenage pregnancies were registered countrywide in 2020 and 196,499 in the first six months of 2021^[4].

As a result of COVID-19, ACTV responded to cases of GBV in 2020 and 2021 and registered 63 and 80 survivors respectively^[5]. With support from DIGNITY, ACTV has just completed a 2-year community model project in Kasese district and one of the key emerging issues from the project was GBV.

Therefore, in developing a new strategic plan, ACTV now responds to survivors of GBV and has designed a new project with a specific outcome of strengthening safe and protective environments in Kasese district through increased knowledge on Gender Based Violence and community led awareness raising. With this in mind, it is important to carry out a study in order to explore the phenomena, structures and integrate services to GBV survivors into ACTV’s rehabilitation services specifically the community model.

 

Purpose of the study

The purpose of the study is to investigate the prevalence and drivers of Gender based Violence in Kasese district. This will enable ACTV to understand the types, root causes of GBV, and its consequences on survivors. In addition the study will assess the specific needs for GBV survivors and the available response mechanisms. The study will enable ACTV to develop strategies to address GBV in the communities of Kasese through the community model structure.

 

Furthermore, based on the identified needs, the consultant will provide ACTV with specific recommendations on how to strengthen their organizational capacity to address the specific needs for GBV survivors in order to:

• Develop strategies, safeguarding policies and guidelines
• Mainstreaming GBV into her rehabilitation services.
• Training and skills development of ACTV staff on GBV

 

Objectives

The Objectives of this study are;

In order to narrow down topics to be included in the study the primary focus will be on understanding the prevalence of Gender Based Violence, specific needs for survivors, and its prevention and response mechanisms in Kasese district. Therefore, the study will explore two key areas being:

1. Prevalence of Gender-Based Violence in Kasese district.

This theme will seek to understand the nature and categories of GBV specifically the prominent ones that exist within the communities. It should also center on assessing the drivers of GBV, levels of awareness, attitudes, and practices about the prevention and response mechanisms of GBV among communities.

2. Needs and available services for GBV survivors.

 

This theme should focus on assessing the specific needs for GBV survivors, their help-seeking behaviors and provide information on rehabilitation services available in the community. It should also include a mapping of the key structures/organizations/actors that prevent and rehabilitate GBV survivors in Kasese district, and how these are organized. .

 

Methodology

The design and methodology should be inspired by a GBV study from Nakuru and adapted to the local context. The selected methodology should be participatory in nature, with meaningful engagements conducted with the relevant key stakeholders. The consultant will have both ACTV and DIGNITY as sparring partners in the process of developing a comprehensive methodology.

The data collection method should include the use of a number of approaches to gain a deeper understanding of the overall questions to be addressed by the research;

• What is the prevalence of Gender Based Violence?
• What are the most common types GBV in the area?
• Who are the most vulnerable?
• What are the drivers/risk factors?
• Where do victims/survivors go for help?
• How are they treated by officials and community members?
• What are the needs and available services for GBV survivors?

 

An appropriate and strategic sampling method should be selected e.g. snowball sampling, purposeful random sampling or mixed purposeful sampling methods.

 

Scope of work.

The scope of the assignment will include;

1. Methodology plan preparation: The consultant will develop a methodology plan for the study in collaboration with ACTV and DIGNITY.
2. Review relevant literature and studies on the topic as well as project related documents and write a 2-3 pages introduction/background.
3. Data collection:
   1. Plan and conduct a household survey to establish prevalence, types of GBV etc.

• Train a team of enumerators in data collection techniques and ethics

1. 1. Plan and conduct individual interviews with local stakeholders including, but not limited to:

• community leaders
• health workers
• community stakeholders
• Community based organizations (CBOs)

1. 1. Plan and conduct focus group discussions with community members including both adults and youth.
2. Facilitate development of tools for integration of GBV interventions in the community model
3. Training of ACTV staff

 

Expected deliverables

The consultant is, expected to lead, accomplish and submit the following deliverables within the agreed timeframe and budget. Specifically, the consultant will be expected to undertake the following process in order to attain the specific deliverables for the assignment.

1. An inception report, which will serve as an agreement between parties on how the research study will be conducted. Items to address:
   • Understanding of the issues and questions raised in the ToR
   • Data sources; how to assess the questions in the ToR
   • Research methodology, including suggested sample and size
   • Schedule of activities (timeline)
   • Detailed budget
   • Appropriate validated draft data collection tools (e.g. methodological guidelines, group interview questions)
2. Research report
3. Presentation of the main findings to the relevant stakeholders for validation
4. Submission of a soft and 3 Hard Copies of the final report customized and well designed.
5. Participate in the launch of the research report among relevant stakeholders
6. Training of ACTV staff.

 

Proposed Process Plan

Activity	Timeline	Responsible
Recruitment of consultant	July	ACTV
Development of inception report	July	ACTV
Review and approval of inception report	July	ACTV and DIGNITY
Conduct an inception meeting	July	ACTV
Desk study (2-3 pages of introduction and background – incl. the GBV study from Nakuru)	August	Consultant
Development of tools and orientation on tools	August	Consultant
Conducting interviews and analysis of data	August	Consultant
First draft report to be shared with ACTV and DIGNITY	September	Consultant
Comments shared with the Consultant from ACTV and DIGNITY	September	ACTV and DIGNITY
Validation of findings	September	ACTV and Consultant
Final report	September	Consultant
Study Launch	October	ACTV, Dignity and Consultant
Training of ACTV staff	October	Consultant

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• The consultant is responsible for developing the methodology plan, conducting the data collection and authoring the final report. The data collection will be in collaboration with ACTV.
• ACTV is responsible for developing the scope and framing of the study in collaboration with DIGNITY, and furthermore for supporting the consultant, providing contextualizing knowledge and relevant project documents, and engaging in the focus group sessions.
• DIGNITY is responsible for developing the scope and framing of the study in collaboration with ACTV, and for quality assurance throughout the process.

 

Duration: The consultant is expected to complete the assignment within 3 months after being contracted. The task is not considered a full-time assignment and will be granted 40 full working days.

 

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Required

• At least a Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Sciences, Human Rights, Gender Studies, Law, Development Studies; and any other related fields.
• Demonstrated experience with quantitative and qualitative research including data analysis Demonstrated sensitivity and considerations around conducting research at community level and involving vulnerable populations.
• Ability to translate research into concrete recommendations for developing strategies and programs
• Relevant subject matter knowledge and experience regarding the thematic areas of Gender Based Violence is an asset

 

How to Apply:

Along with their CV interested candidates should submit:

A technical proposal explaining, their comprehension of the ToR, and how they would approach this assignment, summarising, the methodologies, and approaches they, plan to use, including a timeline.

• Two samples of similar previous assignments
• Their availability
• A financial proposal outlining their expected fees and costs

 

Candidates who possess the relevant requirements should submit their application to actv@actvuganda.org  or ceo@actvuganda.org

 

Deadline: 18^th August 2023.

 

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[1] https://www.unocha.org/story/gender-based-violence-closer-look-numbers?gclid=Cj0KCQjwho-lBhC_ARIsAMpgMoe11lcVb7vurBGC9GWvY33XESLcNp1oZivebiaT69CcxTvNewAWj6EaAqphEALw_wcB

[2] https://www.unfpa.org/data/world-population/UG

[3] World bank study (2014)

[4] https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/sexual-and-gender-based-violence-top-crimes-i-145229

[5] ACTV Annual Report (2021)

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